Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen is a ‘very serious’ target for Ajax, but the Belgian doesn’t want to make the move at this moment in time.
That’s according to De Telegraaf journalist Valentijn Driessen, who claims the Spurs defender does not want to compete with Daley Blind at the Dutch club.
Vertonghen joined Tottenham from Ajax in an £11m deal back in 2012 and has gone on to make over 300 appearances for the club in all competitions.
With his contract at the club set to expire this summer, and no extension having been agreed as yet, he has been heavily linked with a move away for several months.
“Overmars has already said that Vertonghen was unfeasible in the winter because of the enormous salary,” he told De Telegraaf’s podcast.
“However, his expiring contract could be a breakthrough. If he wants to water down, that could be a very serious option.”
However, it seems that any move has been squashed by Vertonghen, who doesn’t want to compete with his Blind for a starting place.
The Dutchman has recently returned to action after he was diagnosed with a serious heart condition after collapsing during Ajax’s 1-0 defeat to Valencia in December.
He has been out since then but is now back, and it seems Vertonghen does not want to be an obstacle to that.
“I have heard from a reliable source that Jan Vertonghen would like to return to Ajax, but not in the current circumstances,” Valentijn Driessen revealed.
“Anyway, he doesn’t want to compete with his great friend Daley Blind. Certainly, with that happening with Blind’s heart, he had no appetite for that, but he wants to avoid that anyway.
“He does not want to get into the situation that Ten Hag has to choose between Blind or Vertonghen.
“Blind really won’t play left-back with Ajax anymore, and neither will Vertonghen. That’s really a no go.
“If Blind goes, then Vertonghen would be open to it. But he’s made it seem like he doesn’t want to see this.”
